These Vessels of Mercy Include All of Us (and a Retreat!)

by Christina Hubbard. Before you read today’s poem, I want to tell you about an upcoming women’s retreat coming later this summer. The Sacred Space Retreat for women will be happening in the Kansas City area in August. Intentional time to recover your life and get away with God. Doesn’t that sound amazing? To stay in the loop, go here. Now, for some poetry!

How quick I am to catch a snatch of anger,

Ragged rope.

I tie it to the creaking dock of social media

Where all grievances can be aired by anyone, anytime.

Free port. Tie yourself tight.

The storm cometh.

How heavy hearts are, wounded by centuries of injustice.

It makes me sick.

I want to jump ship and never ever

Let my shadow absorb what a screen tells me

Is reality.

Oh, people, hope in the Lord,

Not your feelings.

Not even your brother,

Your sister.

They will let you down.

We are all unsteady seafarers.

We must not hasten to conclusion

As waves break upon our bows.

Your hands, your heart, such a harbor

For so many souls

Like mine.

Let us lash ourselves together

For the ride.

Include what needs love,

All things,

All people.

Alien, different, disabled, mentally unsound.

Each of us, unstable,

Teetering on unworthy legs.

Throw me a line of hope.

Dear, vessel of mercy.

Insiders and Outsiders

24 These vessels of mercy include all of us. God has invited Jews and non-Jews, insiders and outsiders; it makes no difference. 25 The prophet Hosea says:

I will give a new name to those who are not My people; I’ll call them “My people,”and to the one who has not been loved, I’ll rename her “beloved.”[a]26 And it shall turn out that in the very place where it was said to them, “You are not My people,”they will be called “children of the living God.”[b] Romans 9:24-26The Voice (VOICE)

This post is part of Five Minute Friday, a creative community of writers. This week our one-word prompt was INCLUDE. Note: I usually go over the five, and yes, I edit. It’s how I roll.